By Police1 Staff
NEW YORK — New proposed legislation would repeal the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act in New York State, with the exception of New York City.
The SAFE Act requires universal background checks for gun purchases, increases the penalties for the use of illegal guns, mandates a life sentence for the murder of a first responder, and bans assault weapons.
But gun advocates believe that when the act was passed, some Constitutional rights were taken away.
“It infringed upon Constitutional rights, made criminals out of law-abiding sportsmen, and did nothing to protect our children, families, or communities,” Sen. Rob Ortt told RochesterFirst.com.
According to WKBW, the new legislation aims to remove the obstacles for people in rural areas who want to purchase guns for protection.
The news station reported that the majority of people (by a small margin) outside the city oppose the SAFE act. It has wider appeal in NYC.
Supporters of the repeal told RochesterFirst.com the act was passed without public input.
“It was really a taking, if you will, of your legally owned firearms and accessories and telling you, you had to get rid of them,” lawmaker Ernst Flager-Mitchell said.
If the repeal passes, the governor would need to sign the legislation for it to be approved.